Monday 9 September 2019, Saudi Arabia's Minister Of Hajj and Umrah made a surprise announcement of abolition of the €500 Umrah tax (Visa Umrah) which concerned people who had already performed Umrah and wanted to perform another within 3 years.
Omra tax (Omra Visa), very good news for pilgrims
The Minister, Dr. Mohammed Salih Bentin, said: "The royal decree is part of the leadership's desire to facilitate the arrival of Muslims from all over the world to perform the Hajj and Umrah.
This announcement comes after the Saudi government repeatedly stated that it wanted to increase the number of pilgrims wishing to travel to Saudi Arabia. holy lands.
It is in line with the government's intention to implement the Vision 2030 project.
(Sources: Saudi media)
What are we talking about?
The abolition of this tax is certainly a relief for everyone, but...
What some media fail to mention is that new visa fees from 300 riyals (≃ 75€) comes into force for everyone.
This is the case whether or not you have already performed an Umrah. You will now have to pay additional costs to obtain your visa.
In a nutshell:
Before the reform...
Only people wishing to repeat an omra within 3 years of their last stay had to pay a €500 tax.
After the reform...
Anyone wishing to make an omra. For the first time or not, must pay this fee of € 75 in addition to the fees that were already in force in previous years ...
Who do I have to pay the fees to for the Umrah visa to go to HARAMAIN... (the two holy mosques)
As these new fees for the Umrah visa have been introduced for everyone, they will form an integral part of the Umrah package prices. They will form an integral part of the Umrah package rates.
You will therefore have to pay these fees at the agency, but it will be transparent for pilgrims, and we can still expect a significant increase in fares for the new season. Umrah 2019/2020.
